The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Raymond J. Mauerman, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. JOSEPH T. DICKMAN prior to and during the amphibious invasion of Southern France on 15 September 1944. Captain Mauerman efficiently organized and thoroughly trained his ship and boat group to execute the assigned mission leading, transporting to the assault area, and landing the embarked army assault units on the invasion beaches on the coast of Southern France. His able conduct of this task contributed materially to the effective establishment of the beachhead and to the overall success of the invasion.